Piccolo was a Namekian, blessed with extremely sharp hearing. From far away, he had already heard Goku talking about his father being sealed away.
His face darkened instantly.
Son Goku… you're talking about my father behind my back. Do you think that's appropriate?
"Hmph. What? You've got more backup?" Nappa snorted, glancing at Piccolo.
"Piccolo, you're here?" Goku waved at him enthusiastically.
"So how many helpers do you have? Should we keep waiting?" Nappa sneered.
"About three more, I guess…" Goku thought for a moment and answered seriously.
If I remember right, Tien, Chiaotzu, and Yamcha will come too.
They all died in this battle last time.
This time, I won't let that happen.
Hearing this, both Nappa and Vegeta fell silent.
So there really are more coming…
"Fine! Then we'll wait and kill all of you together!" Nappa laughed cruelly.
"If you don't want to die… since you know we're here for the Dragon Balls, just tell us where they—"
"They've already turned to stone. Even if I told you, it'd be useless," Goku said honestly.
"What?! Turned to stone?" Vegeta froze.
"Once a wish is granted, the Dragon Balls turn to stone. They won't work again for a year," Goku explained. "This time, the wish was just to revive me."
Vegeta studied Goku silently and felt he wasn't lying.
"Hmph! That's complete nonsense!" Nappa roared. "Prince Vegeta, he's definitely lying! We need to beat it out of him!"
"Do whatever you want," Vegeta replied coldly.
"Hah! I was careless before! This time, I won't let you kick me again!" Nappa clenched his fists, trembling with rage.
"You're not my opponent. Just give it up," Goku said calmly.
"What did you say?!" Nappa snarled and checked his scouter again. "Power level: 960… 1,083… 1,220! Not bad! The green guy's the strongest!"
"And you, Kakarot—only 960! You're even weaker than your kid!"
Piccolo: "..."
Piccolo glanced at Goku, speechless.
You trained for so long and you're still weaker than me?
Should I be happy… or sad?
I really wanted you to surpass me right now.
Thud!
Just as tensions peaked, Krillin dropped from the sky and landed beside Goku.
"Goku! You're alive! That's amazing!" Krillin said excitedly.
Goku stepped forward and rubbed Krillin's head, sighing with emotion.
Krillin: "????"
Why are you rubbing my head?
"I really miss the days when you had no hair," Goku laughed.
Krillin: "..."
"I've always been bald, you idiot!" Krillin snapped. "You're always saying weird stuff."
"Krillin… thank you," Goku said softly after taking a deep breath. "You're my best friend."
Krillin blushed awkwardly.
Why say something like that now?
At a time like this, in a place like this… isn't this kind of embarrassing?
Still, he felt deeply moved.
I'm Goku's best friend…
"I won't let you die again," Goku said firmly.
Krillin looked completely confused.
What are you talking about?
Who's dying?
"I-Is it because of these two Saiyans that I'll die?" Krillin asked nervously.
"More or less," Goku nodded awkwardly.
"T-Then… you trained with King Kai, right? How did it go?" Krillin asked anxiously. "Don't scare me, man! I don't even have a girlfriend yet!"
"Haha, don't worry. You will someday," Goku replied, suddenly thinking of Android 18.
"Someday? Let's get through today first!" Krillin said helplessly.
Goku really hasn't changed at all.
He still talks in ways no one understands.
"Oh! Is this Gohan? He's grown so tall!" Krillin noticed Gohan and smiled.
"I-I remember now! You're Uncle Krillin!" Gohan suddenly realized.
"You must've suffered a lot training with Piccolo," Krillin said quietly.
"Yeah… but Uncle Piccolo is really nice!" Gohan laughed.
"Is this really the time to chat?" Piccolo snapped, veins popping on his forehead.
"That voice…" Vegeta chuckled. "You're the one who killed Raditz."
"Voice?" Piccolo frowned.
"Didn't Raditz tell you? These can work as communicators," Vegeta said, tapping his scouter.
"Prince Vegeta, I remember now. This guy is a Namekian," Nappa said.
"Very likely," Vegeta nodded thoughtfully. "No wonder Raditz was killed by him."
Piccolo: "????"
"So you're an alien, Piccolo! No wonder!" Krillin exclaimed.
"Really, Uncle Piccolo?" Gohan was surprised too.
Piccolo remained silent.
"Hey, Goku, you don't seem surprised at all," Krillin said, noticing Goku's calm expression.
"Hahaha… should I be?" Goku laughed awkwardly.
Krillin: "..."
"I see! Namekians not only have great combat power, but also mysterious abilities!" Vegeta said with a grin. "Some can even use magic. You made the Dragon Balls, didn't you?"
"Huh? They even know about the Dragon Balls?" Krillin gasped.
"It's nothing surprising. Goku already knew they came here for them," Piccolo said, rolling his eyes.
Krillin stared at Goku in shock.
"Well, thanks. At least now I know who I am," Piccolo said with a faint smile. "But you got one thing wrong. I didn't make the Dragon Balls. All I know is how to fight."
As he spoke, Piccolo assumed a battle stance and glanced at Goku.
"Goku, you first, or me?" Piccolo asked.
"I'll go first," Goku replied. "You probably can't beat them right now."
Piccolo: "..."
That hurt.
You didn't have to say it like that.
"Enough talking. Tell us where the Dragon Balls are!" Vegeta snorted.